Before I ever set foot in Costa Rica, I had heard of Nosara as a famous yoga destination. A surf town, it had transformed itself into a surf-and-yoga town in the early 90s, paving the way for the country as a whole to become a magnet for yoga lovers, especially those from the United States and Canada.
As time went on, Nosara’s yoga scene and the town itself matured. Today, you are just as likely to find barefoot surfers and yogis, as you are to find those looking for a week-long rejuvenating vacation in the lap of luxury. The newest hotels and resorts cater to the latter set, with rooms starting at over $300 per night, and amenities and service that you would expect at this price.
Last month, we stopped in Nosara on our way further down the coast to a surf contest. We all enjoyed the food and the beach. I found shopping, and the boys enjoyed the surf.
You know those fancy folks I mentioned above, they need to eat, right? We loved that most restaurants in town offer vegetarian and vegan options as well as meals for the health-conscious omnivore, prepared from fresh, organic, local produce. You get what you pay for, and quality and price are higher than in many other Costa Rican towns we visited.
The shopping was a highlight for me. You can skip the souvenir shops here. Locally-made designer clothing, cool tees and tanks, one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces, and much more are available along the main strip. The boys opted for surf gear from their favourite brands, but I love my unique finds. But be willing to pay for quality and workmanship in Nosara – it’s worth it!
Finally, after all that shopping, I noticed several places offering spa services, yoga classes, and much more. I am sad, very sad to say, that I didn’t have the opportunity to indulge given our tight timeframe and my family in tow. Next time, this will be a priority.
Heading to Nosara? Here’s what I recommend:
Yoga
The place that put yoga in Nosara on the map, Nosara Yoga Institute
Rooms
Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort (adjacent to Nosara Yoga Institute)
Established and well-respected eco-resort in town, Harmony Hotel
Food
Beach Dog Cafe – fish tacos and traditional pad thai with tofu, anything for breakfast
Harmony Hotel Juice Bar – smoothies
Organico – snacks or a light lunch
Il Basilico – salads and pizza
Shopping
Bazzar for gorgeous hand-made dresses and accessories
Nativa Gallery for sculptural silver jewellery and more
Love Nosara, a wooden stand in the middle of town, for hip tees and tanks
Got Nosara recommendations you would like to make, please add them in the comments below. Looking forward to hearing them!
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